Recurve bow recommendations

cccooper

Already have 3 compound bows. Looking to get a recurve but don't want to spend a ton of money. Suggestions?

DONDALINGER

I recently bought a Martin Jaguar Takedown recurve and it is a decent shooting bow for $140 NIB. It has an aluminum riser with fiberglass laminated limbs. I have shot it about a 1000 times or more with no issues. Mine is #50 draw weight. I bought a fast flight string for it, but have not put it on yet.

Regards, Don

jaegermister

If possible attend a traditional archery festival. There you will find many bows available for test shooting, both new and used. Be sure to use an arrow with correct spine for the bow, do not be concerned with grouping but rather how well the arrow flies along the path of where you are looking. Spend the afternoon try everything from long bows with various handles to short and long recurves. No one bow is correct for everyone due to physical differences in your body. You may have difficulty pulling a heavy recurve due to the different muscle groups utilized. You will need to work out with your new bow to the point of being able to draw without stress. you can also practice shooting without sights with a simple two wheel compound. Read my post(got the ole recurve out /feb) a few months back on recurve shooting posted on this fourm.Let me know how you progress, you may come to find as many of us have already that a recurve is not a challenge or a limitation to bow hunting but is actually an asset. I can kill game "easier more effectively" than with a compound. All my bow hunting companions use recurves/long bows because of the "advantage".

cccooper

Picked up a couple at Cabela's this morning. 119 to 229 bucks. Jaguar was 119. 50 lb draw. I shoot 70 right now w/ 65% let off. Didn't string it in the store. If I don't find anything else, I'm picking the Jag up next weekend.

DONDALINGER

quote:Originally posted by cccooper
Picked up a couple at Cabela's this morning. 119 to 229 bucks. Jaguar was 119. 50 lb draw. I shoot 70 right now w/ 65% let off. Didn't string it in the store. If I don't find anything else, I'm picking the Jag up next weekend.


Trust me, 50# with no let off can wear you down after several shots. I shoot 70 pounds with my compound and 75% let off. I really enjoy shooting the Jaguar. I put a TM hunter style rest on it. I didn't like the cheesy plastic rest that came with it. Also note, the top and bottom limbs are identical. According to Martin the mfg. either limb can go top or bottom. $119 is a bargain for the Jaguar. If you don't like it you are only out of a little cash. Cabelas may even let you try it before you buy it. Good luck. [:D]

cccooper

What length arrows and what type? I shoot carbon w/ my compounds. Also, how long for a recurve? My DL is 29"

DONDALINGER

quote:Originally posted by cccooper
What length arrows and what type? I shoot carbon w/ my compounds. Also, how long for a recurve? My DL is 29"


I'm shooting 31" carbon out of my recurve. If you want to go traditional, look into cedar shafts. My draw length on my compound is 29". The draw length on my recurve is approx.29".

Good luck.[:D]